Spring 1969

Volume 6

Number 1 Ramsey County History

Published by the RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Editor: Virginia Brainard Kunz

Fort Snelling — ‘Hardship Post’ Page 3

Spring Colonel Snelling’s Journal Page 9

1969 Picturesque St. Paul Pages 12-13

Volume 6 The Old Lake Como Road Page 14

Number 1 Forgotten Pioneers . . . VII Page 17

A Farm Home Recalled Page 19

Indian Trail Map Page 22

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY is published semi­ ON THE COVER: This sketch by Seth Eastman shows annually and copyrighted, 1969, by the Ramsey County a sentry box at Fort Snelling. Eastman is known today Historical Society, 2097 Larpenteur Avenue West, St. as one of the great painters of the old Northwest and Paul, Minnesota. Membership in the Society carries particularly the Mississippi river valley. What is not so with it a subscription to Ramsey County History. Single well known is that he was an army officer who served issues sell for $1.00. Correspondence concerning con­ four stints as commandant of Fort Snelling, then be­ tributions should be addressed to the editor. The Society came a brigidier general after the outbreak of the Civil War. assumes no responsibility for statements made by con­ tributors. Manuscripts and other editorial material are welcomed but, since the Society is an eleemosynary ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Unless otherwise indicated, institution, no payment can be made for contributions. pictures in this issue are from the Picture Department All articles and other editorial material submitted will of the Minnesota Historical Society. The editor is in­ be carefully read and published, if accepted , as space debted to Eugene Becker and Dorothy Gimmestad for permits. their help.

2 Orders, Letters, Lists of Possessions

Colonel Snelling’s Journal

By Virginia Brainard Kunz

OWHERE, perhaps, is life at a frontier The first two entries touch on the un­ N military post more vividly pictured than certainty of life in the wilderness: in the letters, diaries and journals the men “John Tully, aged about ten years, died who served there left behind them. at Fort Snelling & was buried on the 27th In the journal of Colonel Josiah Snelling, day of April, 1827.” The second is dated commandant of Fort Snelling from 1820 to April 28, 1827: “In the evening the remains 1827, the colonel himself, how he lived and of my daughter, Elizabeth, and Col. Leaven­ the problems of command, all stand revealed. worth’s infant were removed from the old In an era before copying machines or burying ground to the new one on the ridge.” carbon paper, a post commander who needed Elizabeth Snelling died at the age of 13 a record of correspondence and regimental months. The young lad, John Tully, had been orders had to carefully copy letters and a member of the Snelling family for four other documents, often into a journal such years. Soldiers rescued him from a band of as Snelling kept. It is a small book; the Sioux after the rest of his family had been entries, on lined paper, are scanty and date killed. The boy had been scalped, but the chiefly from 1827, the colonel’s last year at Snellings took him into their home and Fort Snelling before his transfer to Jefferson cared for him. He survived, only to die later Barracks at St. Louis, Missouri. of an infection in his foot. Undoubtedly because he was being trans­ ferred, he also has listed his possessions. THE ENTRIES which follow sometimes This inventory provides an intriguing glimpse are in chronological order and sometimes into the personal life of the colonel and his jump backward in time. family. On May 3, 1827, Colonel Snelling “Re­ THE JOURNAL apparently was handed enlisted Wm. Brewster of Comp. D and paid down among members of the family for him six dollars.” more than 100 years after Snelling’s death. A regimental order, dated July 12, from During the late 1930’s, it was in the posses­ Fort Crawford, at what is now Prairie du sion of Mrs. William Ritchie of Omaha, Chien, Wisconsin, states that: Nebraska, whose grandmother was Mrs. “The acting Asst. Com[missary] Lt. Jame­ Snelling’s niece. son will cause to be baked six thousand ra­ Several years ago, however, the journal tions of hard bread by four o’clock P.M. appeared in San Francisco where Elmer tomorrow. Andersen, former governor of Minnesota By order of Col. Josiah Snelling. and now president of the Minnesota His­ M. G. Merril, Act. Adjt.” torical Society, acquired it. He has permitted the Ramsey County Historical Society to use A terse order went to a hapless and ap­ some of the entries in this article. parently irresponsible officer, a Maj. T. Hamilton, on July 13, 1827: ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Virginia Brainard Kunz is “Sir: I have thought proper to place editor of Ramsey County History and executive secre­ C ompany B under the command of Lt. Denny. tary of the Ramsey County Historical Society. She is the author of three books, one of which is history of You will remain behind, considering your­ the military in Minnesota. self on furlough until we return. I will ex-

9 plain my reasons for this measure when time and opportunity offer. Yr. Obt. st„ J. Snelling, Col.” Snelling spells out his reasons in a second letter to Hamilton on August 10, 1827. In both these communications, however, he does not neglect the military niceties but signs himself “Yr. Obt. st.,” or “With gt. respect, Yrs.”

“Major: Seven years ago you were trans­ ferred by mutual consent with Major Lar- rabee to this Corps. I was advised at the time by Gen’l Atkinson that it was his last hope of reforming your habits. How far you have met his expectations, is best known to yourself. Colonel Josiah Snelling “I have connived at your derelictions from duty too-long. On an important expe­ dition you have allowed the command of came here under that assurance. But, father, your Company to be taken from you, when look at your floor. It is stained with the danger & honor should have been courted, blood of my people, shed under your walls. & given to your 2nd Lt. without even asking I look up and see your flag over us. If you the reason why. Always satisfied if you had are a great and powerful people, why do you free access to the whisky bottle. In truth not protect us? If not, of what use are all of and candour you are no longer fit for the these soldiers?” station you hold, & I am obliged to offer Two military orders reveal Snelling’s you this alternative. Resign with a year’s approach to other problems created by the furlough, or, stand a trial. presence of a military post in Indian terri­ With gt. respect, Yrs. tory. This order is dated July 21, 1827: J. Snelling.” “The present state of affairs renders it The tragic and ceaseless warfare between necessary that decisive steps should be taken the Chippewa and the Sioux of the area also with the vagrant Indians who infest this was the concern of the camp commandant. neighborhood. Half breeds not claiming In May of 1827, 24 Chippewa encamped citizenship, & Indian women of any grade near Fort Snelling were attacked by nine or colour not having husbands, will depart Sioux who had been received hospitably by in 24 hours on pain of military evacuation. the Chippewa, eaten their food and smoked The commanding officer is fully aware of a peace pipe with them. the responsibility he incurs, and will always Strong Earth, the Chippewa chief, pro­ be ready to answer for it before a competent tested this brutal betrayal of a treaty which tribunal; but he will not suffer spies to be had been concluded two years earlier be­ smuggled into his camp under the petticoats tween the two Indian nations. Snelling copied of a strumpet. No interference will be allowed the chiefs poignant and bewildered protest with the civil law, and a strict obedience is into his journal, and he prefaced it with the commanded to the warrants of the magis­ following notation: “Literal as translated. trates. But vagrant Indians, either whole or L. Taliaferro Agt. of a speech delivered by half-breeds, must leave the Prairie. Certifi­ Strong Earth a chief of the Sandy Lake cates of marriage will be required of those Indians of the Chippewa nation to Col. J. females who are permitted to remain.” Snelling on the 30th of May 1827.” THE SECOND order was issued about “Father: You know that two summers two weeks later, on August 6, from a keel ago, we attended a Great Council at Prairie boat, the “Rock Islander:” du Chien, where by the advice of our white “Regt Orders friends, we made a peace with the Sioux. On the arrival of the boats at the Prairie We were then told that the Americans would on which Wabasha’s village is situated & at a guarantee our safety under your flag. We place which will be indicated by the Colonel,

10 the Lt. Infantry under Lt. Denny with Lt. The duel apparently never was fought. Jameson as second officer will land & march Snelling was transferred to Jefferson Bar­ in file towards the village, keeping as near racks the following month. He recorded his as possible parrallel to the boats. An advan­ journey as follows: ced guard to be detailed from Sgt. Louis “Oct. 2nd, 1827. Left St. Peters in the company of one Corporal & three privates, Steamboat Josephine, Capt. Clark. Passen­ will move two hundred yards in front of the gers, Mrs. Snelling, three children, female Light Infantry. They will not attempt con­ servant Olympia, and myself. Majr. Gen’l cealment, but go directly to the village by Gaines, Lts. Hunter, Green, Clark, & Capt. the common path, and inform Wabasha or Clark. any of his chiefs who may be present, that “Oct. 4th, 1827. Arrived at Prairie du although we approach in force, we have no Chien and sailed the same day for St. Louis. hostile intentions. Our only object is to “Oct. 5. Stopped nearly all day at Galena, return to St. Peters unmolested. Called Fever river lead mines. “If the advance should be fired on, or “Oct. 9th. Arrived at St. Louis early in made prisoners, Lt. Denny will form his the morning. company in line in extended order and fire “Oct. 10th. Took lodging at Mrs. McNous advancing towards the village. The other for Mrs. S. $4 per week. James $2, Marion three companies will immediately land & $2. Mary (slave) $2. Total $10. Wood and support him. They will form line in extended candles to be furnished by me.” order, & whatever may be the casualties, IN HIS inventory of his property, he they will advance to the houses in the village. listed a silver saddle and silver spurs; six Arrangements have been made to fire them, large silver spoons, six teaspoons and one & it is expressly enjoined on the officers & salt and one mustard spoon; a tea set of men to give no quarter, but to women & French china; a spy glass; six chairs, a port­ children whose persons should always be able desk; a pair of plated branch candle­ sacred in the eyes of an American soldier. sticks; brass candlesticks; a pair of cut glass “Once engaged in this enterprize, courage decanters; a dozen ivory handled knives and is safety, and the misconduct of one individ­ forks; a black walnut wash stand; “Two ual may produce a panic in the whole line. large & one small feather bed.” It is therefore enjoined upon every officer Mixed in with these items are such prac­ to put to death any man who quits his rank, tical possessions as a “Spotted white & red or attempts escape from his duty. cow,” a red cow, ten sheep and a farm near J. Snelling Col” St. Louis which Snelling bought for $2,000 on August 13, 1825 — one of several pur­ chases of land which Snelling made. In September of 1827, Snelling seems to In the spring of 1828, Snelling went to have been involved in a mysterious “affair of honor,” not mentioned by any of his biog­ Washington, D.C., to bring home his daugh­ raphers. In a letter to a Lt. G. Low, who was ter, Mary, who was attending school there. to be his second, he set forth his terms for However, sometime between June 1 and the duel. June 10, Mary died suddenly after having attended a party. Two months later, in “Sir: I have contrary to my duty and my principles and to gratify the bad passions of August, Snelling himself died in Washington. He was 46 years old. a bad man, consented to waive my rank to This tough-minded but intelligent and Lt. Baxby and expect to receive a message often compassionate army officer, one of from him today. As you have agreed to appear scores like him who fought the nation’s on the field as my friend, I think proper to early wars and pushed its frontiers ever dictate to you the following terms of combat, westward, once summed up his own career from which I will not depart. The duel shall as follows: he fought at four paces with pistols and the firing shall continue until one of the parties “I have passed through every grade to is killed or disabled. I do not go out for a the command of a regiment. I owe nothing show and I will have no spectators or sur­ to executive patronage, for I have neither geon. I will consent to no reconciliation or friend or relative connected with the govern­ shaking of hands. When I think a man a rascal ment. I have obtained my rank in the ordi­ I never take his hand. nary course of promotion and have retained J. Snelling” it by doing my duty.”

11 THE GIBBS HOUSE Headquarters of the Ramsey County Histor­ ical Society, 2097 Larpenteur A venue West, St. Paul, Minnesota.

HE Ramsey County Historical Society was founded in 1949. T During the following years the Society, believing that a sense of history is of great importance in giving a new, mobile generation a knowledge of its roots in the past, acquired the 100-year-old farm home which had belonged to Heman R. Gibbs. The Society restored the Gibbs House and in 1954 opened it to the public as a museum which would depict the way of life of an early Minnesota settler. In 1958, the Society erected a barn behind the farm house which is maintained as an agricultural museum to display the tools and other implements used by the men who broke up the prairie soil and farmed with horse and oxen. In 1966, the Society moved to its museum property a one-room rural schoolhouse, dating from the 1870’s. The white frame school came from near Milan, Minne­ sota. Now restored to the period of the late 1890’s, the school actually is used for classes and meetings. In the basement beneath the school building, the Society has its office, library and collec­ tions. In 1968, the Society acquired from the University of Min­ nesota the use of the white barn adjoining the Society’s property. Here is housed a collection of carriages and sleighs which once belonged to James J. Hill. Today, in addition to maintaining the Gibbs property, the Ramsey County Historical Society is active in the preservation of historic sites in Ramsey county, conducts tours, prepares pamphlets and other publications, organizes demonstrations of pioneer crafts and maintains a Speakers' Bureau for schools and organizations. It is the Society's hope that through its work the rich heritage of the sturdy men and women who were the pioneers of Ramsey County will be preserved for future generations.